Chapter 6
B everly watched as Dale entered Coastal Coffee, a warm smile lighting up his face when he spotted Maxine behind the counter. Her best friend’s eyes sparkled as she looked up from where she was restocking coffee cups.
“Hey there, beautiful,” Dale said, walking over to give Maxine a quick kiss.
Beverly busied herself wiping down a nearby table, giving them a moment of privacy, but she was still unable to keep from smiling.
After everything Maxine had been through with her ex-husband, Victor, seeing her friend so happy made Beverly’s heart full.
Dale took Maxine’s hand when she came out from behind the counter.
They fit together naturally, at ease with each other.
He brought out a lightness in Maxine that she hadn’t seen in years.
Dale led Maxine over to where Beverly was pretending to be busy. “So, I have some news.”
She looked up and grinned. “Tell me the hurricane is turning away from us.”
He flashed a wry smile. “I wish I could say that. No, it’s about Vera and Prince Lawrence.”
“Oh, you found out something new?”
“I think so. I have to do some more digging before I share my news with Miss Eleanor?—”
“Beverly!” Darlene burst through the door of Coastal Coffee, breathless. She hurried over to them. “Did you hear? Mandatory evacuations for the island.”
She did a quick appraisal of the shop. They’d boarded up most of the windows except the front one so she could keep serving people. But now, it was time to shut it all down.
“The ferry’s running extra trips to get folks off the island, but the last ferry will run tomorrow about sunset,” Darlene continued, fanning herself with a menu she’d grabbed from a nearby table.
“We got to hurry and finish battening down the hatches. My goodness, I still have half the B&B to secure, and those shutters are heavy. Luckily, Felicity and Brent are in town, and Mark is helping me too.”
Dale reached out and touched Beverly’s arm. “Let me help you finish with the hurricane shutters for the cafe. I already have Second Finds boarded up. Not many people looking for antiques with the storm approaching.”
“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that.” She nodded gratefully.
Darlene turned to leave. “Just wanted to make sure you heard. And I need a few things from the hardware store. They’ll be closing soon, I’m sure. Then I’ve got to get back to the B&B.”
“Thanks, Darlene. Stay safe.” She walked her to the door and turned to the remaining customers. “I’m sure you heard. Let’s get finished up here, and I’ll close up.”
Her customers hurried to finish up and pay as Dale and Maxine worked on putting up the hurricane shutters over the front window, plunging the cafe into an unfamiliar dimness barely illuminated by the lights.
Coastal Coffee was supposed to be filled with light and…
well, there wasn’t time to think about that.
Maxine came back in, and they rinsed the dishes, leaving them in the sink. Beverly took one last glance around the kitchen, making sure everything was secure. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to leave the cafe for an evacuation, but it never got any easier.
The three of them walked out of the cafe, and Dale peered down the street. “You know, I want one last check of Second Finds.” He gave Maxine a quick kiss. “I’ll meet you back at my cottage in a bit?”
“I’m going to go with Beverly and help her finish closing up her cottage.” Maxine turned to her. “Because I know you’ve put all your energy into making sure that Coastal Coffee was secure, and knowing you, you haven’t finished with your cottage.”
She laughed. “You know me too well. I still need to drag the outside planters in. I have a few more shutters to put up. I hate not having any natural light inside, so I left off the two in the kitchen.”
“You both stay safe.” Dale gave Maxine another kiss and hurried down the street.
“I’d almost forgotten about all the prep for possible hurricanes. Pushed it from my memory, I guess.” Maxine fell into step beside her.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a big one. But Magnolia Key has weathered the storms before. We’ll get through this one.”
As they reached the cottage, she pulled out her keys and opened the front door. She flipped on the light in the dark room. “See, I hate this about the shutters. So dark inside.”
Maxine helped her put up the last shutters, and they hurried to bring in everything from outside. They carried in the porch furniture and planters and set them in the entranceway.
“Do you have your to-go bag packed?”
“I do. Important files. A photo album from Mama. I keep meaning to scan the pages in so I’d never lose the photos, but I haven’t made time. And I have a few mementos that I’d hate to lose.”
Maxine grinned at her. “Did you remember to pack clothes?”
“Yes, those too.” She grinned as she rubbed her back, exhausted. “I have some tea in the fridge. Want a glass and a quick sit before you head home?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Maxine sat down with a sigh.
“All this preparation has me thinking about when we were kids during that one hurricane. Mabel? Carol? Whatever the name. We were just in grade school and so scared. Do you remember how your mother made us play cards and drink hot chocolate to distract us?”
She brought the glasses to the table and sat next to her friend. “How could I forget? You cried the entire time, convinced the storm surge would sweep us all away.”
“I was a dramatic kid,” Maxine admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. “But you have to admit, it was a pretty scary storm. Remember the old oak tree near Miss Eleanor’s? It split right down the middle, and I thought it was the end of the world.”
“Miss Eleanor was annoyed. Said the tree had been there for years and the storm had no right to destroy it.” She smiled, remembering. “I think Miss Eleanor was offended it dared to split like that. In her yard.”
“But it came back, didn’t it? Stronger than ever.”
“It did.” She nodded, thinking of how beautiful the tree was in front of Miss Eleanor’s house now.
“I wonder how Miss Eleanor is doing with this hurricane.”
“I’m sure Jonah is helping her secure her house.”
Maxine leaned forward. “Isn’t that great that they found each other again after all this time?”
“It is. And have you heard him call her Ellie?” She grinned. “I think that’s adorable.”
Maxine took one last sip of tea and stood. “I should get home. Dale helped me get everything secured already, but I’d like one last look. I think we’ll head out on the first ferry tomorrow.”
“That’s my plan too. They’ll probably run extra ferries, but they’ll have to stop when the bay gets rough from the approaching storm.”
She walked her friend to the front door and stepped outside with her. The sky was still a crystal clear blue with just a few clouds dotting the expanse. She hugged Maxine. “Stay safe. I’ll catch up with you on the mainland.”
Maxine hurried off down the street. As she turned to go inside, she caught sight of a familiar figure hurrying up the path, his face etched with concern.
“Cliff.” He was the last thing she needed now.
“Beverly, hi. I just wanted to make sure you heard about the mandatory evacuation orders.”
“I did.” Her words were clipped.
“Can I help with anything? Carry things in? Hang shutters?”
“It’s all done.” Not that she would have accepted help from him anyway.
“You sure? There’s nothing I can do?”
“Oh, I think you’ve done enough for this town.” She swirled around and walked inside, leaving him standing on her porch.